ble of, the objects are yet too numerous for minute attention and the aching hearts of ten thousand parents, mourning under the bitterest of all disappointments, attest the truth of the allegation. His quarrel, therefore, is with the mischief at large, and not with any particular instance of it. THE TASK. BOOK I. THE SOFA. ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK. Historical deduction of seats, from the Stool to the Sofa-A Schoolboy's ramble-A walk in the country-The scene described -Rural sounds as well as sights delightful-Another walkMistake concerning the charms of solitude corrected-Colonnades commended--Alcove, and the view from it-The wildernessThe grove-The throsher-The necessity and benefit of exercise -The works of nature superiour to, and in some instances inimitable by, art-The wearisomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure-Change of scene sometimes expedient-A common described, and the character of crazy Kate introducedGipsies-The blessings of civilized life-That state most favour able to virtue-The South Sea islanders compassionated, but chiefly Omai-His present state of mind supposed-Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities-Great cities, and Lon don in particular, allowed their due praise, but censured-Fête champêtre-The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of dissipation and effeminacy upon our public measures. I SING the Sofa. I, who lately sang 5 10 Thrown up by wintry torrents roaring loud, And sway'd the sceptre of his infant realms : By worms voracious eating through and through. Improv'd the simple plan; made three legs four, Now came the cane from India, smooth and bright, With nature's varnish; sever'd into stripes, That interlac'd each other, these supplied Of texture firm a lattice-work, that brac'd The new machine, and it became a chair. But restless was the chair; the back erect Distress'd the weary loins, that felt no ease; The slipp'ry seat betrayed the sliding part 40 45 That press'd it, and the feet hung dangling down, These for the rich; the rest, whom Fate had plac'd In modest mediocrity, content 50 With base materials, sat on well-tann'd hides, |